Wis. Boy With Rare Disease Healing Well In Minn.
APPLETON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin boy who underwent a stem-cell transplant to strengthen his delicate skin is almost ready to come home from a Minneapolis hospital.
Charlie Knuth of Darboy has a rare skin disease that causes blisters inside and outside his 5-year-old body.
He underwent a transplant Dec. 30. Doctors say the early prognosis is encouraging.
Dr. Jakub Tolar is Charlie's physician at a University of Minnesota hospital. He says Charlie initially had sores on 90 to 95 percent of his body. He says it's now down to less than 5 percent.
His mother says the family is grateful for all the support and gifts they've received.
The Post-Crescent of Appleton says Charlie still has obstacles to overcome. For example, his devastated immune system will take a year to redevelop.
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